Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Comp. Ltd.

TSMC Solar Ltd.

Kwang-Ming Lin

Jiunn-Jyi Lin

Lih-Shyng Tsai

Dian-Hau Chen

Lin-June Wu

Shu-Lan Ying

Szu-An Wu

Yu-Ku Lin

Ya-Li Tai

Meng-Chang Liu

Yung-Haw Liaw

Tong-Hua Kuan

Yi-Feng Huang

Kun-Yi Liu

Wen-Cheng Kuo

Jin-Kuen Lan

Chih-Chung Lin

Chia-Juei Pan

Chin-Twan Wei

Lih-Shyig Tsai

Chi-Wei Liu

Chung-Hung Lu

A method for forming thin film solar cell materials introducing a first inert gas mixture that includes hydrogen selenide into a chamber at a first pressure value until the chamber reaches a second pressure value and at a first temperature value, wherein the second pressure value is a predefined percentage of the first pressure value. The temperature in the chamber is increased to a second temperature value for a selenization process so that the pressure in the chamber increases to a third pressure value. Residual gas that is generated during the selenization process can be removed from the chamber. A second inert gas mixture that includes hydrogen sulfide is added into the chamber until the chamber reaches a fourth pressure value. The temperature in the chamber is increased to a third temperature value for a sulfurization process. The chamber is cooled after the sulfurization process.

Apparatus and methods for forming thin film solar cell materials

A method for encapsulating solar cells includes a curing step that renders CIGS or other types of solar cell absorber layers resistant to degradation by high-temperature lamination processes. The curing process takes place after IV test and prior to the lamination of an encapsulant film. The curing step is carried out in conjunction with a light soaking step that takes place prior to the IV test. The curing process takes place for a time that may range from 10 minutes to two days and at a high relative humidity, RH. Relative humidities of 20-90% are used and have been effective in passivating selenium vacancy defects associated with the absorber layers. The cured absorber layers are resistant to degradation and produce a solar cell with a high solar cell efficiency.

Method of curing solar cells to reduce lamination induced efficiency loss

A method including the step of forming contact pads on a semiconductor wafer. A passivation blanket is deposited over the semiconductor wafer and the contact pads. The passivation blanket includes three layers. A first layer of silicon dioxide is deposited over the semiconductor wafer and the contact pads. A second layer of silicon nitride is deposited over the first layer, and a third layer and final layer of silicon dioxide is deposited over the second layer. The passivated semiconductor wafer is planarized using an oxide chemical mechanical planarization method. Holes are opened in the passivation blanket down to the contact pads. An under bump metallurgy is deposited onto the contact pads and a portion of the final silicon dioxide layer. Solder is deposited onto the under bump metallurgy and reflown to form a flip chip having solder bumps.

Passivation and planarization process for flip chip packages

This invention relates to a method of fabrication used for semiconductor integrated circuit devices, and more specifically, to improve the photolithography processing window of a multi-layered dual damascene process by using a dielectric anti-reflective coating, DARC, comprised of multiple layers of silicon oxynitride, SiON, with varying k, dielectric constant values and thickness, to reduce reflectivity and improve light absorption. By varying both the thickness and the dielectric constant of the layers, the optical properties of light absorption, refractive indices, and light reflection are optimized.

Dielectric ARC scheme to improve photo window in dual damascene process

The invention teaches the creation of borderless contact holes by using multiple layers of overlying dielectric, having different, interdependent etch rates, that function as etch stop layers for the creation of the borderless contact holes through a layer of overlying dielectric.

Method of fabricating borderless contact using graded-stair etch stop layers

A cobalt silicide process having a titanium-rich/titanium nitride capping layer to improve junction leakage is described. Semiconductor device structures to be silicided are formed in and on a semiconductor substrate. A cobalt layer is deposited overlying the semiconductor device structures. A titanium-rich/titanium nitride capping layer is deposited overlying the cobalt layer. Thereafter, a cobalt silicide layer is formed on the semiconductor device structures. The titanium-rich/titanium nitride capping layer and an unreacted portion of the cobalt layer are removed to complete fabrication of the integrated circuit device.

CoSix process to improve junction leakage

Within a method for forming a sacrificial silicon oxide layer, there is first provided a silicon semiconductor substrate. There is then thermally oxidized the silicon semiconductor substrate at a first temperature within a first oxidizing atmosphere to form a silicon oxide layer upon a partially consumed silicon semiconductor substrate formed from the silicon semiconductor substrate. There is then thermally oxidizing the partially consumed silicon semiconductor substrate at a second temperature greater than the first temperature, and within a second oxidizing atmosphere, to form from the silicon oxide layer upon the partially consumed silicon semiconductor substrate a further oxidized silicon oxide layer upon a further consumed silicon semiconductor substrate. Finally, there is then stripped from the further consumed silicon semiconductor substrate the further oxidized silicon oxide layer. By employing the method, microelectronic devices may be fabricated with enhanced performance within the further consumed silicon semiconductor substrate.

Multi-step method for forming sacrificial silicon oxide layer

There is described a multiple layer metallurgy, spin-on-glass multilayer metallurgy structure and method for making such structure for a one micrometer or less feature size integrated circuit with substantially free field inversion on a semiconductor substrate having a pattern of device regions therein. A passivation layer is located over the surfaces of the patterns. A pattern of openings are made through the passivation layer to at least some of the device regions which include source/drain regions. A patterned first metallurgy layer is in contact with the pattern of openings. A first via dielectric layer is located over the pattern of first metallurgy layer. A silicon-rich barrier dielectric layer is located over the first layer. A cured spin-on-glass layer is over the barrier layer. A silicon oxide second via dielectric layer is over the spin-on-glass layer. A pattern of openings is in the second via layer, spin-on-glass layer, barrier layer and first via layer. A patterned second metallurgy layer is in contact with the pattern of openings to make electrical contact with the first metallurgy layer wherein the multilevel metallurgy integrated circuit with substantially free field inversion is completed.

Method and resulting device for field inversion free multiple layer

A method for forming multiple layer metallurgy, spin-on-glass multilayer metallurgy for a one micrometer or less feature size integrated circuit with substantially free field inversion, that is the positive charge between the first via layer and the SOG is described. A semiconductor substrate having a pattern of field effect device source/drain regions therein with a pattern of gate dielectric and gate electrode structures associated therewith and a pattern of field isolation structures at least partially within semiconductor substrate electrically separating certain of these source/drain regions from one another are provided. A passivation layer is formed over the surfaces of said patterns. Then the multilayer metallurgy is formed thereover by opening a pattern of openings through the passivation layer to at least some of the source/drain regions, depositing and patterning a first metallurgy layer in contact with the pattern of openings, forming a first via dielectric layer over the pattern of first metallurgy layer, exposing the first silicon oxide via dielectric layer to a nitrogen plasma, forming a spin-on-glass layer over the via dielectric layer and curing the layer, forming a second via dielectric layer over the spin-on-glass layer, forming a pattern of openings in the second via layer, the spin-on-glass layer, and the first via layer, and depositing and patterning a second metallurgy layer through the openings to make electrical contact with the first metallurgy layer.

Nitrogen plasma treatment to prevent field device leakage in VLSI

A multiple layer metallurgy, spin-on-glass multilayer metallurgy structure and method for making such structure for a one micrometer or less feature size integrated circuit with substantially free field inversion on a semiconductor substrate having a pattern of device regions therein. A passivation layer is located over the surfaces of the patterns. A pattern of openings are made through the passivation layer to at least some of the device regions which include source/drain regions. A patterned first metallurgy layer is in contact with the pattern of openings. A first via dielectric layer is located over the pattern of first metallurgy layer. A silicon-rich barrier dielectric layer is located over the first layer. A cured spin-on-glass layer is over the barrier layer. A silicon oxide second via dielectric layer is over the spin-on-glass layer. A pattern of openings is in the second via layer, spin-on-glass layer, barrier layer and first via layer. A patterned second metallurgy layer is in contact with the pattern of openings to make electrical contact with the first metallurgy layer wherein the multilevel metallurgy integrated circuit with substantially free field inversion is completed.

Method for field inversion free multiple layer metallurgy VLSI processing

The method of forming a void-free surface on aluminum-copper metallurgy after stripping of resist is described. There is provided an aluminum-copper metallurgy on a suitable substrate, such as a semiconductor integrated circuit wafer during manufacture. A resist layer is formed over surface. The resist layer is exposing, developing and the developed resist is used as an etch mask to etch a layer, such as an insulating layer on the metallurgy which results in exposing the aluminum-copper metallurgy surface. The resist etch mask is removed by plasma oxygen ashing in presence of the exposed aluminum-copper surface. Rapid thermal annealing of the aluminum-copper metallurgy at a temperature of between about 400.degree. to 550.degree. C. is performed. The resulting surfaces are rinsed to remove any residual resist material. The result is a void-free aluminum-copper metallurgy surface.

Growing community of inventors

Hsin-Chu, Taiwan

Kwang-Ming Lin